·       It is a small, perennial aromatic herb shrub used in the fragrance, specialty food, and alternative medicine industries.

·       Soil: It can grow well in light well-aerated soil rich with organic matter. It grows best in neutral to alkaline soil which is free draining. This crop is very sensitive to waterlogging however can go well with poor or eroded soil.

·       Climate: It is a hard and temperate plant that can tolerate drought and frost conditions. The ideal climatic conditions are cool winters and cool summers. It requires a good amount of sunlight.

·       It can be grown in areas that experience snowfall and have a hilly terrain.

·       Applications: Food and flavouring, Pharmaceutical and therapeutic, Cosmetic, and Industrial purposes etc.

·       It serves as the underlying criminal act that generates proceeds or funds for the subsequent illegal activity.

·       The term “predicate offence” is usually used to describe money laundering or terrorist financing activities.

·       The legislative intent behind predicate offences under PMLA finds its roots in the pursuit of curbing not only illicitly gained wealth but also income legally acquired yet concealed from the watchful eyes of public authorities.

·       The PMLA designates certain offences as predicate offences through the Schedule, consisting of three parts: Part A, Part B, and Part C.

Part A:

·       This section enumerates offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that are deemed predicate offences.

·       Ranging from criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government, counterfeiting, to offences related to extortion, robbery, forgery, cheating, and more, Part A delves into the core fabric of criminal activities.

Part B:

·       Under this section, offences under the Customs Act become predicate offences if their value exceeds one crore rupees.

·       This section focuses on violations related to customs duties and regulations.

Part C:

·       This segment encompasses offences of cross-border implications, encompassing not only Part A’s offences but also those against property under Chapter XVII of the Indian Penal Code.

·       The peace clause allows developing countries to breach the subsidy ceiling without being dragged into dispute by members, for rice. However, it comes with tough notification requirements and conditions, all of which are difficult to follow.

·       It was put in place in 2013 under the Bali Agreement.

·       India had earlier invoked the clause for 2018-19, when it became the first country to do so.

Issues with the peace clause

·       Controversial: Some developed countries argue that it gives developing countries an unfair advantage, and it could lead to trade distortions. Others say it is crucial for developing countries to meet their food security.

·       Flexibility in rules-based order: WTO is a rules based organisation, and the peace clause is seen as a departure from those rules. The flexibility provided by WTO in the peace clause is leading to conflict of interest between developed and developing nations.

·       States are admitted to membership in the United Nations by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.

·       The State submits an application to the Secretary-General and a letter formally stating that it accepts the obligations under the Charter.

·       The Security Council considers the application.

·       Any recommendation for admission must receive the affirmative votes of 9 of the 15 members of the Council, provided that none of its five permanent (P5) members have voted against the application.

The procedure –

·       The State submits an application to the Secretary-General and a letter formally stating that it accepts the obligations under the Charter.

·       The Security Council considers the application.

·       Any recommendation for admission must receive the affirmative votes of 9 of the 15 members of the Council, provided that none of its five permanent (P5) members have voted against the application.